Light emitting decoration apparatus

ABSTRACT

The light emitting decoration apparatus includes a sheet type light emitting member ( 40 ) that has a transparent electric conductive layer ( 641 ), fluorescent layer ( 66 ), and first and second electrode layer ( 64 ) that electrically isolated each other. Each electrode layer of the light emitting member has electric junction portions. The electric junction portions are adapted to be connected to wire type conductors by way of passing through.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a decorative illuminating apparatus,and more particularly, to a decorative illuminating apparatus using anEL sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electro-luminescent (EL) sheet is formed by depositing a fluorescentmaterial on an organic film or a linear structural object. As an ACvoltage is applied to the EL sheet, an electric field causes thefluorescent material to rapidly charge and discharge, resulting in theemission of light during each cycle. This phenomenon is called theelectro-luminescence. A thin, lightweight sheet having a property of theelectro-luminescence is called the EL sheet. Since it can be formed invarious shapes, the EL sheet is widely used as a back light of anelectronic apparatus, a signal plate, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative apparatusilluminating light and having various shapes formed by using an ELsheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingmember having various shapes formed by using an EL sheet.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method offabricating an illuminating member having various shapes formed by usingan EL sheet.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide anarrangement where a plurality of cables can be connected to an EL sheet,thereby obtaining various decorative shapes.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide anassembly where an illuminating member using an EL sheet and a cable canbe simply and firmly connected.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide acable capable of being connected to a decorative illuminating apparatusin various manners.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided adecorative illuminating apparatus comprising: an illuminating memberhaving a shape of a sheet, the illuminating member comprising atransparent conductive layer, a fluorescent layer, and first and secondelectrode layers electrically isolated from each other, whereinelectrical connection portions are provided to the first and secondelectrode layers of the illuminating member, and wherein a conductivewire passes through each of the electrical connection portions.

It is preferable that the second electrode layer is in a contact withthe transparent conductive layer.

It is preferable that the fluorescent layer is interposed between thetransparent layer and the first electrode layer, wherein the transparentlayer is exposed at a region where the fluorescent layer and the firstelectrode layer are not formed, wherein the second electrode layercovers the exposed region of the transparent layer and is electricallyisolated from the electrode layers.

It is preferable that the fluorescent layer extends between the firstelectrode layer and the transparent layer and between the secondelectrode layer and the transparent layer.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a cable for supplying an electrical power to the electricalconnection portions, wherein the cable has two conductors.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a connector having two connection pins connected to theelectrical connection portions, wherein the two conductors of the cableare separately connected to the connector.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises first and second connection rings passing through theilluminating member and connected to the electrical connection portions,wherein the two connection pins of the connector are inserted into thefirst and second connection rings, respectively.

It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises amoisture proof layer at the opposite side of a light-emitting side ofthe illuminating member.

It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises aprinting layer at a light-emitting side of the illuminating member, anda figure is printed on the printing layer.

It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises a layercovering outer end portions of the first or second electrode layer sothat the first or second electrode layer is not externally exposed.

It is preferable that the illuminating member comprises a centralportion and a plurality of extending portions extending from the centralportion in a radial direction, thereby forming a flower-like shape, andthe electrical connection portion is provided at the central portion.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a coupling means having a support element and a fixingelement, wherein the illuminating member is interposed between thesupport element and the fixing element, wherein the support element andthe fixing element are detachably assembled, wherein the coupling meanscovers the electrical connection portion.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a base where the cable is detachably fixed.

It is preferable that the base comprises a circuit board having aconnector, wherein the two conductors of the cable are connected to theconnector of the circuit board.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a circuit unit for supplying an electrical power through thecables, wherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of inverterdevices corresponding to the cables.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a circuit unit for supplying an electrical power through thecables, wherein the cables are divided into groups having one or morecables, and separate power supply devices are provided to the groups.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: an illuminating membermade of an EL sheet; and a cable used for supplying an electrical powerto the EL sheet, wherein the cable comprises two conductors and aninsulating coat for covering the two conductors, wherein a connectionpassages is provided to the insulating coat to connect with each of thetwo conductors.

It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus furthercomprises a branch cable which is connected to the cable through theconnection passage.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of fabricating an illuminating member, the methodcomprising steps of: preparing a transparent electrode layer; forming afluorescent layer on the transparent electrode layer except for a firstregion of the transparent layer, thereby exposing the first region andforming an exposed transparent layer; forming a dielectric layer on thefluorescent layer except for the first region, thereby still exposingthe exposed transparent layer; forming a first electrode layer on thedielectric layer except for the first region, thereby still exposing theexposed transparent layer; and forming a second electrode layer at thesame time, after, or before the step of forming the first electrodelayer, wherein the second electrode layer covers the exposed transparentlayer and is apart from the first electrode layer.

It is preferable that the method further comprise a step of forming amoisture proof layer on the first electrode layer.

It is preferable that the moisture proof layer is formed except for asecond region of a lower electrode layer, thereby exposing the electrodelayer.

It is preferable that in the step of forming the electrode layer, theelectrode layer is formed so that a third region of the dielectric layeris exposed, wherein the method further comprises a step of forming athrough hole having a smaller size than the third region.

It is preferable that wherein the method further comprise a step offorming a printing layer by printing a desired figure on the transparentelectrode layer.

It is preferable that the method further comprise a step of forming aglossy layer on the printing layer.

It is preferable that outer end portions of the first electrode layerare covered with other layers.

According to further still another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a decorative apparatus comprising: an illuminatingmember made of an EL sheet, the illuminating member comprising a centralportion and a plurality of extending portion, thereby the illuminatingmember having a shape of a flower; a cable connected to the EL sheet,the cable having a shape of a stem; and a power supply device forsupplying an electrical power to the EL sheet through the cable. It ispreferable that the decorative apparatus further comprises another ELsheet having a shape of a petal, wherein the power supply devicesupplies the electrical power to another EL sheet.

According to further still another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: aplurality of layers including an electrode layer, wherein the electrodelayer comprises an illuminating member having an EL sheet, wherein theEL sheet is divided into two regions by a dividing line, and wherein twoconnection rings are provided to pass though the two divided EL sheets,respectively.

It is preferable that outer end portion of the EL sheet is covered withan insulating coat layer, so that the EL sheet is not externallyexposed.

It is preferable that the illuminating member comprises a centralportion and a plurality of extending portions extending from the centralportion in a radial direction, thereby forming a flower-like shape

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along linesA-A′ and B-B′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a circuit board in the decorativeilluminating apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a decorative illuminating object in thedecorative illuminating apparatus;

FIG. 5 illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along linesC-C′ and D-D′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating object ofFIG. 4 with an illuminating member, a cable, and coupling means beingassembled;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an assembled portion of anilluminating member and a cable;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along a line H-H′ of thedecorative illuminating object of FIG. 4 in order to illustrate couplingthrough holes.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connection ring before lined in aninserting hole;

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate a method of fabricating an illuminating memberof FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a circuit board according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a circuit board according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an illuminating member according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of fabricating an illuminating memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention; (a) is a planview of the illuminating member and (b) is an enlarged cross sectionalview of an end portion of the illuminating member;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a decorative illuminating object according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of thedecorative illuminating object of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of a cable and otherconnection parts according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of additional cables connected to acable connection portion of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The attached drawings for illustrating exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are referred to in order to gain a sufficientunderstanding of the present invention, the merits thereof, and theobjectives accomplished by the implementation of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail byexplaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to theattached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote likeelements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to the present invention. The decorative illuminatingapparatus 10 comprises a base 20, a decorative illuminating object 40,and a decorative non-illuminating object 90. The decorative illuminatingand non-illuminating objects 40 and 90 are provided on the base 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along linesA-A′ and B-B′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating apparatus ofFIG. 1. The base 20 comprises a case 23 and a circuit board 30 receivedin the case 23. The case 23 has a shape of rectangular parallelepiped.The case 23 has upper and lower members 24 and 27. The upper member 24has a top plate 25 and four side walls 26. The top plate 25 has a shapeof rectangular. The four side walls 26 extend downward from four edgesof the top plate 25. On the top plate are provided a plurality of firstand second connection parts 251 and 252 to which a cable 42 of thedecorative illuminating object 40 and a lower end portion 92 of thedecorative non-illuminating object 90 are inserted. The first connectionparts 251 are provided to protrude upward from the top plate 25. Each ofthe first connection parts 251 has a first connection hole 253 to whichthe cable 42 of the decorative illuminating object 40 is inserted andfixed. The first connection hole 253 has substantially the same crosssection as that of the cable 42 in order to fasten the cable 42. Thediameter of the first connection hole 253 is determined to a degree thatthe cable 42 can be detachably and firmly fixed to the first connectionhole 253. A through hole 254 is provided below the first connection hole253. Two conductors 44 of the cable 42 pass through the through hole 254into the case 23. The two conductors 44 are connected to a connector 32described later. Caps 259 are prepared to cover the first connectionparts 251 which are not used. The caps 259 prevent water or contaminantsfrom flowing into the case 23 through the first connection holes 253.

The second connection parts 253 are also provided to protrude upwardfrom the top plate 25. Each of the second connection parts 253 has asecond connection hole 255 to which the lower end portion 92 of thedecorative non-illuminating object 90 is inserted and fixed. Thediameter of the second connection hole 255 is determined to a degreethat the lower end portion 92 can be detachably and firmly fixed to thesecond connection hole 255. It will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the sizes of the first and second connection holes253 and 255 may be determined depending on the cable 42 of thedecorative illuminating object 40 and the lower end portion of thedecorative non-illuminating object 90.

A step portion 261 is formed along lower edges of inner surfaces of thefour sidewalls 26. The step portion 261 is in a contact with an upperend portion 27 described later. A series of protrusions 262 are providedon inner surfaces of the step portion 261. Each of the protrusions 262is tapered downward. The protrusions 262 are engaged with correspondingrecesses 292 provided on outer surfaces of side wall 29 of the lowermember 27. Distal ends of the side walls 26 are in a contact with a stepportion 291 formed along upper edges of outer surfaces of the side walls29 of the lower member 27 described later.

The lower member 27 has a bottom plate 28 and four side walls 29. Thebottom plate 28 has a shape of rectangular. The four side walls 29extend upward from four edges of the bottom plate 28. As describedabove, the step portion 291 is formed along the upper edges of outersurfaces of the four sidewalls 29. The step portion 291 is in a contactwith the distal ends of the side walls 26 of the upper member 24. Aseries of recesses 292 are provided on outer surfaces of the stepportion 291. The recesses 292 are engaged with corresponding protrusions291 so that the upper and lower members can be engaged. Support ribs 293are provided on inner surfaces of the side walls 29 of the lower member27 to support the circuit board 30. More specifically, edges of thecircuit board 30 are mounted on step portions 294 of the support ribs293. Referring to FIG. 1, a power cable 99 passes through a side wall 29of the lower member 27 into the case 23 and is connected to the circuitboard 30. Although in the embodiment an AC power voltage of 100 or 240Vis supplied to the circuit board 30 through the power cable 99, thepresent invention is not limited to it.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a circuit board in the decorativeilluminating apparatus of FIG. 2. Referring FIGS. 2 and 3, twoconnectors 32 and a plurality of inverter IC chips 100 are provided onan upper surface of the circuit board 30. Each of the inverter IC chips100 is electrically connected to a corresponding pair of pins 322provided to the connector 32 and supplies an AC power to the connector32. Each of the connectors 32 mounted on the circuit board 30 has ashape of an elongated bar. A plurality of pairs of inserting holes 321are aligned on an upper surface of each of the connectors 32. And aplurality of pairs of pins 322 are aligned at the correspondingpositions of the pairs of inserting holes 321 on a lower surface of eachof the connectors 32. The upper surfaces of the connectors 32 areadjacent to the lower surface of the top plate 25 of the upper member24. Each pair of the inserting holes 321 faces the corresponding throughhole 254 below the first connection hole 253. The two conductors of thecable 44 passing through the through hole 254 are inserted andelectrically connected to the inserting holes 321. The pins 322 areinserted into holes 301 on the circuit board 30 and fixed by a solderingmethod. As a result, the cable 42 is electrically connected to thecircuit board 30 through a connector 32. As a plurality of connectors 32are provided in parallel, the first connection holes 253 can correspondto the pairs of inserting holes 321.

Although the commercial AC power is supplied to the decorative illumingobject by using the inverter IC chips in the embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to it. Alternative embodiments of circuitboards for supplying an electrical power to a decorative illuminatingobject are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Referring to FIG. 13, anadaptor circuit 100 b, a plurality of inverter circuits 101 b, and aplurality of connectors 32 b are provided on a circuit board 30 b. Theadaptor circuit 101 b converts and transforms an AC power voltage of 100or 240V to a DC power voltage of 9˜12V, and supplies the DC power to theinverter circuits 101 b. Each of the inverter circuits 101 b isconnected to the adaptor circuit 100 b and two connectors 30 b. Each ofthe inverter circuits 101 b converts the DC power to a stable AC powerused to illumination and applies the AC power to the two connectors 32b. Each of the connectors 32 b has a pair of inserting holes 321 b intowhich two conductors of a cable are inserted. It will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that a case suitable for such acircuit board can be implemented in accordance with the aforementionedembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, three connectors 32 a, three transformers 101 a,and three intensity adjusting elements 102 a are provided on a circuitboard 30 a. An adaptor circuit (not shown) on the circuit board 30 aconverts and transforms an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V to a DC powervoltage of 9˜12V. Each of the connector 32 a has five pairs of insertingholes 321 a into which conductors of cables are inserted. Each of thetransformers 101 a is connected to a corresponding connector 32 a. Eachof the transformers 101 a supplies the DC power to the correspondingconnector 32 a. Each of the intensity adjusting elements 102 a isconnected to a corresponding transformer 101 a. Outputs of thetransformers 101 a are adjusted by using the intensity adjustingelements 102 a so that the intensity of light emitted from illuminatingmembers 60 can be adjusted. It will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that a case suitable for such a circuit board can beimplemented in accordance with the aforementioned embodiment. With suchan arrangement of the circuit board, it is possible to supply differentpowers to groups of the illuminating members and separately adjustintensity of light emitted from groups of the illuminating members.

Although in the embodiment an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V issupplied to each of the connectors, the present invention is not limitedto it. Instead of the AC power supplier, a DC power supplier such as abattery may be used. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skillin the art that a power supplier suitable for such connectors can beimplemented.

Although in the aforementioned the cable and the circuit board areconnected to each other with the connectors, the present invention isnot limited to it. Alternatively, the cable and the circuit board may beconnected to each other by using a soldering method without a connector.

Returning to FIG. 1, the base 20 may be inserted in a vase-likecontainer illustrated with dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a decorative illuminating object in thedecorative illuminating apparatus. FIG. 5 illustrates cross sectionalviews (a) and (b) taken along lines C-C′ and D-C′, respectively, of thedecorative illuminating object of FIG. 4 with an illuminating member, acable, and coupling means being assembled. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the illuminating object 40 has a shape of a flowerhaving a petal and a stem. The illuminating object 40 comprises a cable40, an illuminating member 60, coupling means for coupling the cable 40with the illuminating member 60, and a connector 120 for connecting thecoupling member 80 and the cable 40. The illuminating member 60 and thecable correspond to the petal and stem of the flower, respectively. Thecoupling means represents a calyx and stamens of the flower. The cable42 comprises two conductors covered with an insulating coat 46. At bothends of the cable 42, the insulating coat 46 is peeled to expose the twoconductors 44. Returning to FIG. 2, the upper end of the cable 42 isinserted and fixed to the first connection hole 253, and the lower endof the cable 42 is inserted and fixed to the connector 120. Therefore,the cable 42 is not taken off by an unexpected external force. The twoconductors 44 of the cable 42 inserted to the first connection hole 253pass through the through hole 254 into the case 23 and are inserted tothe inserting hole 321 of the connector 32. The cable 42 can be removedfrom the base 20 with a hand pulling. The cable 42 preferably has astrength to a degree that it can stand erect. The cable 42 may beelastically bendable.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper end of the cable 42 is inserted tothe connector 120. The connector 120 has a body 121 having a shape ofrectangular parallelepiped and two connection pins 112 provided on a topsurface of the body 121. Two inserting holes (not shown) are provided ona bottom surface of the body 121, so that the two conductors 44 of thecable 42 pass through the two inserting holes and are connected to thetwo connection pins 122. The body 121 is received into a connectionpassage 831 of a support element 82 of the coupling means 80 describedlater. Two connection pins 122 are inserted into two inserting holes 614and 615 of the illuminating member 60. The connector 120, theilluminating member 60, and the support element 82 are assembled bysoldering (202, 204) or bending the pins. The two conductors 44 of thecable 42 are inserted/removed to/from the inserting holes (not shown) ofthe connector 120 assembled with the illuminating member 60 and thesupport element 82. With such an arrangement, it is possible to easilyreplace a blossom part made of the connector 120, the illuminatingmember 60, and the coupling means 80.

The illuminating member 60 having a shape of a petal comprises acircular central portion 61 and a plurality of extending portions 62which extend from the central portion 61 in a radial direction. Thecentral portion 61 comprises two coupling through holes 61 and first andsecond inserting holes 614 and 615. Preferably, the two coupling throughholes 61 and the first and second inserting holes 614 and 615 arearranged so that a line connecting the two coupling through holes 612can intersect a line connecting the first and second inserting holes 614and 615. The coupling means 80 further comprises a fixing element 86.The fixing element 86 has an insert boss 87 which are inserted into thecoupling through holes 612. The first and second inserting holes 614 and615 are lined with first and second connection rings 200 and 210described later with reference to FIG. 6. The two connection pins of theconnector 120 are inserted into the first and second inserting holes 614and 615 and are fixed with the solders 202 and 204. Although theconnection pins are fixed with the solders, the connection pins arefixed by inserting the connection pins and bending protruding portionsthereof. In addition, the bended portion may be also soldered.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the connection rings 200 and 210before lined in the first and second inserting holes 614 and 615. Now, amethod of lining the connection rings in the first and second insertingholes will be described. Each of the connection rings 200 and 210comprises a cylinder 208 and a flange 206 having a knob 209. With a handgasping the knob 209, the cylinder 208 is inserted into the insertinghole of the illuminating member 60. Next, a sintering process isperformed on the opposite portion of the flange 206, so that the firstand second connection rings 200 and 201 are lined in the first andsecond inserting holes 614 and 615 of the illuminating member 60. Next,the knob 209 is removed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an assembled portion ofthe illuminating member 60 and the cable 40. The illuminating member,that is an EL sheet, has a stacked structure of a coating layer 68, atransparent conductive layer (transparent electrode layer) 641, afluorescent layer 66, a dielectric layer 65, a lower electrode layer 64,and a moisture proof layer 74, as shown in FIG. 6. The lower electrodelayer 64 is made of a highly conductive material such as silver. Thefluorescent layer 66 is formed by depositing fluorescent ink. Thefluorescent layer 66 is generally referred to as a phosphor layer. InFIG. 6, the arrows indicate Light emitted from the illuminating member.The coating layer 68 is made of a transparent material such as PE in theembodiment. The transparent electrode layer 641 is an indium oxide tin(ITO) film made by depositing ITO on a plastic resin film, such as PET.It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that depthsof the layers in FIG. 6 is different from those of actual layers of theilluminating member 60. The present invention is not limited to theaforementioned structure of the EL sheet. It will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that different structures of the ELsheet can be employed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the stacked structures near the first and thesecond inserting holes 614 and 615 of the illuminating member 60 aredifferent from each other. Near the first inserting holes 614, themoisture proof layer 74 is removed wider than the flange 206 of thefirst connection ring 200. The lower electrode layer 64 is exposed atthe region where the moisture proof layer 74 is not formed. The flange206 of the first connection ring 200 contacts with the exposed portionof the lower electrode layer 64 and the opposite portion of the flangeis caulked, so that the first connection ring 200 and the illuminatingmember 60 are assembled and the formation of the first inserting hole614 is completed. Near the second inserting hole 615, the moisture prooflayer 74, the lower electrode layer 64, the dielectric layer 65, and thefluorescent layer 66 are removed wider than the flange 206 of the secondconnection ring 210. As a result, the transparent electrode layer 641 isexposed. A connection electrode layer 76 is formed on the exposedtransparent electrode layer 641. The connection electrode layer 76 ismade of a highly conductive material such as silver. The flange 206 ofthe second connection ring 210 contacts with an outer surface of theconnection electrode layer 76, and the opposite portion of the flange iscaulked, so that the second connection ring 210 and the illuminatingmember 60 are assembled and the formation of the second inserting hole615 is completed. The two connection pins of the connector 120 areinserted into the first and second inserting holes 614 and 615, and thesolders 201 and 204 are applied. With such a structure, the oneconnection pin inserted into the first inserting hole 614 iselectrically connected to the lower electrode layer 64 of theilluminating member 60, and the other connection pin inserted into thesecond inserting hole 615 is electrically connected to the transparentelectrode layer 641 of the illuminating member 60.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along a line H-H′ of thedecorative illuminating object of FIG. 4 in order to illustrate twocoupling through holes 612. The stacked structures near the two couplingthrough holes 612 of the illuminating member 60, to which the two insertbosses 87 of the fixing element 86 of the coupling member 80 areinserted, are slightly different from that of other regions of theilluminating member 60. Near each of the coupling through holes 612, themoisture proof layer 74 and the lower electrode 64 are removed to exposethe dielectric layer 65. As a result, it is possible to prevent thelower electrode layer 64 and the transparent electrode layer 641 frombeing crushed during the formation of the coupling through holes 612 andto ensure a stable connection.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupling means 80 comprises the supportelement 82 and the fixing element 86. The support element 82 and thefixing element 86 represent a calyx and stamens of a flower,respectively. The support member 82 has a connection portion 83 and aplurality of sepal-like supports 84. The connection portion has a shapeof a truncated cone. The plurality of sepal-like supports 84 areprovided in a radial direction to correspond to the plurality ofextending portions 62 of the illuminating member 60. The connectionportion 83 comprises a connection passage 831 at the center thereof andtwo inserting holes 822 and 832 at the both sides of the connectionpassage 831. The connector 120 is inserted to the connection passage831. Referring to FIG. 5, the connection passage 831 has a protruded rim8311 at the upper inner surface thereof. The rim 8311 has a function ofpreventing the connector 120 from passing the connection passage 831.The two connection pins of the connector 120 are protruded through anupper opening of the connection passage 831. The two insert bosses 87 ofthe fixing element 86 are pressed and inserted into the two insertingholes 822 and 832 provided on the upper surface of the connectionportion 83, so that the support element 82 and the fixing element 86 areassembled. Each of the sepal-like supports 84 having a shape of a risingcurve supports the corresponding extending portion 62 of theilluminating member 60.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixing element 96 having a shape ofstamens comprises the two inserting bosses extending downward and arecess 88 at the center of a lower surface of the fixing element 96. Thetwo insert bosses 87 pass through the coupling through holes 612 of theilluminating member 60, and are pressed and inserted into the twoinserting holes 822 and 832, so that the illuminating member 60 can befixed. The recess 88 receives the solders 202 and 204 formed at the twoconnection pins of the connector 120.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the decorative non-illuminating object 90comprises a lower end portion 92 and a decorative portion 94. The lowerend portion having a cross section of circle are connected to the secondinserting hole 255 provided on the top surface of the base 20. Thedecorative portion may have various shapes such as a flower, abutterfly, a cattail, or the like.

Now, operations of the decorative illuminating apparatus will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6. AC power is suppliedto the circuit board 30 in the base 20 through the power cable 99. Thecircuit board 30 is connected to the cable 42 of the decorativeilluminating object 40 through the connector 32 provided on the uppersurface of the circuit board 30. An inverter IC chip 100 supplies astable AC power to the illuminating member 60 through the cable passingthrough an inserting hole 321. Referring to FIG. 6, the one of the twoconnection pins of the connector 120 is connected to the lower electrodelayer 64 through the first connection ring 200, and the other isconnected to the transparent electrode layer 641 through the secondconnection ring 210. As the AC current flows between the two electrodelayers, light emits toward the coating layer 68. Initially, the firstconnection ring 200 is connected to the transparent electrode layer 641and the lower electrode layer 64. At the time of a current flowing, thetransparent electrode layer 641 near the first connection ring 641 isdamaged and insulated. As a result, the first connection ring 200 isconnected to only the lower electrode layer 64. On the other hand, someportion of the transparent electrode layer 641 near the secondconnection ring 210 may be damaged, but the lower electrode layer 64covering the transparent electrode layer 641 is not insulated. As aresult, the conductors 44 and the transparent layer 641 are stillelectrically connected to each other, so that light can continuouslyemit.

Now, a method of fabricating the illuminating member 60 illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5, and 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 11,and 12. Firstly, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 9, a fluorescent layer66 having a shape of a flower is formed on a substrate 63. In FIG. 9,(a) is a plan view of the substrate 63 and (b) is a cross sectional viewtaken along the line E-E′ of the substrate of (a). The fluorescent layer66 is not at a predetermined central region 601. It is the predeterminedcentral regions 601 that the second connection ring shown in FIG. 6 isinserted into. The substrate 63 comprises a coating layer 68 and thetransparent electrode layer 641. In the embodiment, the coating layer 68is made of a transparent plastic material such as PE, and thetransparent electrode layer 641 is made of an indium oxide tin (ITO)film.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a dielectric layer 65 is formed on thefluorescent layer 66. The dielectric layer 65 has the same shape as thefluorescent layer 66. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, a lower electrode layer64 made of a highly conductive material such as silver is formed on thedielectric layer 65. In FIG. 11, (c) is a plan view, and (a) and (b) arecross sectional view taken along lines F-F′ and G-G′ of (c) of FIG. 11.After the formation of the lower electrode layer 64, the lower electrodelayer 64, the dielectric layer 65, and the fluorescent layer 600 areremoved at a predetermined region 601 to expose the transparentelectrode layer 641. On the exposed transparent electrode is formed aconnection electrode layer 76 which are apart from the neighboringlayers. The connection electrode 76 is made of a high conductivematerial such as silver. On the other hand, the lower electrode layer 64is removed at two predetermined regions 8121 where the coupling throughholes 612 of FIGS. 4 and 7 are to be formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, a moisture proof layer 64 is formed. In FIG.12, (c) is a plan view, and (a) and (b) are cross sectional view takenalong lines K-K′ and L-L′ of (c) of FIG. 12. Next, the moisture prooflayer 64 is removed at predetermined regions 601 and 602 where the firstconnection ring 200 of FIG. 6 is to be inserted. On the other hand, themoisture proof layer 64 is removed at other predetermined regions 6121where the coupling through holes 612 are to be formed. Although themoisture proof layer 64 is removed at the predetermined region 6121, thepresent invention is not limited to it. Alternatively, the moistureproof layer 64 may not be removed at the predetermined region 6121.Next, the substrate is subjected to a cutaway process for cutting thesubstrate along the contour of a flower indicated with dotted line in(c) of FIG. 12, so the illuminating member having a shape of a flowercan be obtained. After or before the cutaway process, a punching processis performed to form two coupling through holes 621 and two insertingholes 614 and 615 which are lined with first and second connection rings200 and 210. When the two inserting holes 614 and 615 are lined with thefirst and second connection rings 200 and 210, the illuminating member60 shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

Although the layers in FIGS. 9 to 12 are illustrated to be thick, itwill be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthicknesses of the layer are exaggerated.

Although only a single flower is formed on the substrate 63 in FIGS. 9to 12, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thata large number of flowers can be formed on the substrate 63 for thepurpose of mass production.

Although the illuminating member has a shape of a flower in theaforementioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to theflower. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the illuminating member may have various shapes such as abutterfly, a dragonfly, a mushroom, a bird, a charter, a numeral, and asymbol.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an illuminating member 60 aaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The illuminatingmember 60 a comprises a coating layer 68, a printing layer 69, and aglossing layer 79. The printing layer 69 is formed by printing a desiredfigure of a flower or a star on the coating layer 68 with a printingprocess, such as a silk screen method and an offset printing method.With the formation of the printing layer 69, it is possible to obtain anilluminating member having naturally or three-dimensionally appearanceduring its illumination. The glossing layer 79 is formed by coating anon-glossy material or a glossy material on the printing layer 69. Withthe formation of the glossing layer 79, it is possible to furtherincrease the aforementioned printing effect. The other structures of theilluminating member 60 a are the same as the illuminating member 60 ofFIG. 6, and thus their description is omitted.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of fabricating an illuminating memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to(a) and (b) of FIG. 16, contour 64111, that is, an outer end portion, ofthe lower electrode layer 64 is formed to be interior to contours of thesubstrate 63 (including the dielectric layer 65 and the moisture prooflayer 74, and so on) and other layers (including the glossing layer 79,the printing layer 69). The resulting member is subjected to a cutawayprocess for cutting the resulting member along the dotted line 16 drawnbetween the contour of the lower electrode layer 64 and the contours ofthe other layers 79, 69, 66, 65, 74. As a result, an illuminating memberhaving a desired shape of a flower is obtained. By doing so, it ispossible to prevent the lower electrode layer 64 from being exposed.Therefore, an unpleasant electric shock can be avoided when theilluminating member contacts with a human body. The other structures ofthe illuminating member are the same as the aforementioned embodiment,and thus their description is omitted.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an illuminating member 60 a according toanther embodiment of the present invention. The illuminating member 60 ahavening a shape of a flower comprises a circular central portion 61 aand a plurality of extending portions 62 a which extend from the centralportion 61 a in a radial direction. The illuminating member furthercomprises an EL sheet 63 a and insulating coating layers 68 a and 69 afor covering the EL sheet 63 a. The EL sheet 63 a has a stackedstructure of a base layer 641 a, a fluorescent layer 66 a, an insulatinglayer 66 a, and a conductive layer 64 a. The insulating layer 65 a ismade of a dielectric material. The conductive layer 64 made of a highlyconductive material such as silver serves as an electrode. Thefluorescent layer 66 a is formed by depositing fluorescent ink. Thefluorescent layer 66 a is generally referred to as a phosphor layer. Inalternative embodiment, an insulating layer may be interposed betweenthe base layer 641 a and the fluorescent layer 66 a. Since thelight-emitting surface of the EL sheet 63 a is directed upward in FIG.18, the base layer 641 a is illustrated at the upper portion of the ELsheet 63 a. In FIG. 18, the arrows indicate Light emitted from theilluminating member 60 a. The base layer 641 a made of a transparentconductive material comprises a base resin layer 202 a and a conductivefilm 204 a. Preferably, the base resin layer 202 a is made of a plasticresin material such as PET, and the conductive film is an indium oxidetin (ITO) film made by depositing ITO on the base resin layer 202 a. Theresulting base layer 641 a is referred to as a transparent conductivefilm or an ITO film layer. It will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that depths of the layers in FIG. 18 is different fromthose of actual layers of the illuminating member 60.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is provided a dividing line 611 afor dividing the conductive layer 64 a into two parts. The dividing lineis formed to be a curve having a certain width. The present invention isnot limited to the embodiment, but the dividing line may be formed to belinear.

Referring to FIG. 18, two printing layer 104 a and 102 a are formed ontwo coating layers 68 a and 69 a, respectively. The coating layers 68 aand 89 a are wider than an EL sheet 63 a, so that the EL sheet 63 a isnot exposed. The dividing line 611 a divides the conductive layer 64 aprovided in the central portion 61 a of the EL sheet 63 a into twoelectrode planes 671 a and 672 a. When an AC voltage is applied betweentwo electrode planes 671 a and 672 a connected to the correspondingconductors, light emits from the transparent electrode layer (the baselayer) 641 a.

Referring to FIG. 17, two coupling through holes 612 a and first andsecond connection rings 200 a and 210 a are provided on the twoelectrode planes 61 a and 672 a of the central portion 61 a. The firstand second connection rings 200 a and 210 a have the same structures asthose of FIG. 6. The first and second connection rings 200 a and 210 apass through all the layers of the illuminating member 60 a. Theilluminating member 60 a is connected to a cable in the same mannershown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As not shown in FIG. 17, two conductors of thecable are electrically connected to the first and second connectionrings 200 a and 210 a, respectively. When currents are applied to thefirst and second connection rings 200 a and 210 a, a short circuit mayoccur at the conductive film 204 a of the base layer 641 a. However,heat generated at that time have a damage to the conductive films 204 anear the first and second connection rings 200 a and 210 a, so that thefirst and second rings 200 a and 210 a can be insulated from theconductive films 204 a. Therefore, there is no influence on theillumination of the illuminating member 60 a.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a cable 42 a according to another embodimentof the present invention. The cable 42 a represents a stem of a plantwhich is represented by a decorative illuminating object. FIG. 19 is aperspective, partially cutaway view of the cable 42 a and otherconnection parts 461 a according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of additional cablesconnected to a cable connection portion of FIG. 17. The cable 42 acomprises two conductors 44 a for flowing a current and an insulatingcoat 46 a covering the two conductors 44 a. A plurality of connectionparts 461 a are provided on the insulating coat 46 a. Hereinafter, thecable 42 a is referred to as a “stem cable.” Each of the connectionparts 461 a has a connection plane 462 a substantially perpendicular toan extending direction of the conductors 44 a. In each of the connectionparts 461 a, two connection passages 463 a are provided from theconnection plane 462 a and to the two conductors 44 a, respectively.When a connector 15 a described later is mounted on the connection plane42 a, two leads of the connector 15 a are inserted into the connectionpassages and electrically connected to the conductors 44 a. Anadditional cable (hereinafter, referred to as a “branch cable”)representing a branch of the plant is connected through the connector 15a. Preferably, the branch cable is more slender than the stem cable.However, the present invention is not limit to it. The connector 15 ahas a body 151 a having a shape of rectangular parallelepiped and twoleads extending downward from the body 151 a. An opening 153 a isprovided on a top portion of the body 151 a to fasten the branch cable42 a. In the opening 153 a are provided connection portions 1521 a ofthe leads 152 a to which the two conductors of the branch cable 42 b areinserted and connected. The leads 152 a are inserted into the connectionpassages 463 a provided at the connection parts 461 a of the stem cable42 a. The end portion of the inserted lead 152 a is electricallyconnected to the conductor 44 a of the stem cable 42 a. When a branchcable 42 b is not connected to a connection part 461 a of the stem cable42 a, a cap 18 a is inserted the connection part 461 a in order toprevent contaminants from being flowing into the connection part 461 a.The cap 18 a comprises a cover 181 a for covering the connection plane462 a of the connection part 461 a of the stem cable 42 a and legs 182 aextending from the cover 181 a. The two legs are inserted into the twoconnection passages 463 provided to each of the connection parts of thestem cable 42 a.

According to the present invention, the following advantages can beobtained. It is possible to use the decorative illuminating apparatus asan illumination apparatus. In addition, since a plurality of stem andbranch cables are easily detachable to a base through a plurality ofconnection parts and portions, a user can decorate the decorativeilluminating apparatus to his or her taste. In addition, it is possibleto firmly assemble the cable and the illuminating member. In addition,since the cable can be easily detachable from the decorativeilluminating object, it is possible to easily replace their components.In addition, according to a method of fabricating the illuminatingmember by using an EL sheet, it is possible to fabricate various shapesof the illuminating members in mass production. In addition, since theEL sheet has a moisture proof layer, it is possible to increase lifetime and durability of the decorative illuminating apparatus. Inaddition, since a desired figure is printed on the illuminating memberand a glossing layer is formed thereon, it is possible to obtainthree-dimensional appearance during the illumination of the illuminatingmember. In addition, since conductive layers in the illuminating memberare not exposed, it is possible to avoid an unpleasant electric shockwhen the illuminating member contacts with a human body. In addition,since different powers can be supplied to groups of the illuminatingmembers, light can more stably emit from a plurality of the illuminatingmembers. In addition, since a plurality of branch cable can be added toa stem cable, it is possible to simply and easily obtain a plant-likedecorative illuminating apparatus.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodimentsshould be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by thedetailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, andall differences within the scope will be construed as being included inthe present invention.

1. A decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: an illuminatingmember having a shape of a sheet, the illuminating member comprising atransparent conductive layer, a fluorescent layer, and first and secondelectrode layers electrically isolated from each other, whereinelectrical connection portions are provided to the first and secondelectrode layers of the illuminating member, and wherein a conductivewire passes through each of the electrical connection portions.
 2. Thedecorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesecond electrode layer is in a contact with the transparent conductivelayer.
 3. The decorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the fluorescent layer is interposed between the transparentlayer and the first electrode layer, wherein the transparent layer isexposed at a region where the fluorescent layer and the first electrodelayer are not formed, and wherein the second electrode layer covers theexposed region of the transparent layer and is electrically isolatedfrom the electrode layers.
 4. The decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent layer extends between thefirst electrode layer and the transparent layer and between the secondelectrode layer and the transparent layer.
 5. The decorativeilluminating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a cable forsupplying an electrical power to the electrical connection portions,wherein the cable has two conductors.
 6. The decorative illuminatingapparatus according to claim 5 wherein the decorative illuminatingapparatus further comprises a connector having two connection pinsconnected to the electrical connection portions, and wherein the twoconductors of the cable are separately connected to the connector. 7.The decorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein thedecorative illuminating apparatus further comprises first and secondconnection rings passing through the illuminating member and connectedto the electrical connection portions, and wherein the two connectionpins of the connector are inserted into the first and second connectionrings, respectively.
 8. The decorative illuminating apparatus accordingto any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illuminating member furthercomprises a moisture proof layer at the opposite side of alight-emitting side of the illuminating member.
 9. The decorativeilluminating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe illuminating member further comprises a printing layer at alight-emitting side of the illuminating member, and wherein a figure isprinted on the printing layer.
 10. The decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illuminating memberfurther comprises a layer covering outer end portions of the first orsecond electrode layer so that the first or second electrode layer isnot externally exposed.
 11. The decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illuminating membercomprises a central portion and a plurality of extending portionsextending from the central portion in a radial direction, therebyforming a flower-like shape, and wherein the electrical connectionportion is provided at the central portion.
 12. The decorativeilluminating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the decorativeilluminating apparatus further comprises a coupling means having asupport element and a fixing element, wherein the illuminating member isinterposed between the support element and the fixing element, whereinthe support element and the fixing element are detachably assembled, andwherein the coupling means covers the electrical connection portion. 13.The decorative illuminating apparatus according to any one of claims 5to 11, wherein the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises abase where the cable is detachably fixed.
 14. The decorativeilluminating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the base comprisesan inserting hole where the cable is inserted and fixed.
 15. Thedecorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein thebase comprises a circuit board having a connector, and wherein the twoconductors of the cable are connected to the connector of the circuitboard.
 16. The decorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises acircuit unit for supplying an electrical power through the cables, andwherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of inverter devicescorresponding to the cables.
 17. The decorative illuminating apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the decorative illuminating apparatusfurther comprises a circuit unit for supplying an electrical powerthrough the cables, wherein the cables are divided into groups havingone or more cables, and wherein separate power supply devices areprovided to the groups.
 18. A decorative illuminating apparatuscomprising: an illuminating member made of an EL sheet; and a cable usedfor supplying an electrical power to the EL sheet, wherein the cablecomprises: two conductors; and an insulating coat for covering the twoconductors, and wherein a connection passages is provided to theinsulating coat to connect with each of the two conductors.
 19. Thedecorative illuminating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein thedecorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a branch cable whichis connected to the cable through the connection passage.
 20. A methodof fabricating an illuminating member, the method comprising steps of:preparing a transparent electrode layer; forming a fluorescent layer onthe transparent electrode layer except for a first region of thetransparent layer, thereby exposing the first region and forming anexposed transparent layer; forming a dielectric layer on the fluorescentlayer except for the first region, thereby still exposing the exposedtransparent layer; forming a first electrode layer on the dielectriclayer except for the first region, thereby still exposing the exposedtransparent layer; and forming a second electrode layer at the sametime, after, or before the step of forming the first electrode layer,wherein the second electrode layer covers the exposed transparent layerand is apart from the first electrode layer.
 21. The method offabricating an illuminating member according to claim 20, wherein themethod further comprise a step of forming a moisture proof layer on thefirst electrode layer.
 22. The method of fabricating an illuminatingmember according to claim 21, wherein the moisture proof layer is formedexcept for a second region of a lower electrode layer, thereby exposingthe second region of the electrode layer.
 23. The method of fabricatingan illuminating member according to claim 22, wherein, in the step offorming the electrode layer, the electrode layer is formed so that athird region of the dielectric layer is exposed, wherein the methodfurther comprises a step of forming a through hole having a smaller sizethan the third region.
 24. The method of fabricating an illuminatingmember according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the methodfurther comprise a step of forming a printing layer by printing adesired figure on the transparent electrode layer.
 25. The method offabricating an illuminating member according to claim 24, wherein themethod further comprise a step of forming a glossy layer on the printinglayer.
 26. The method of fabricating an illuminating member according toclaim 20, wherein outer end portions of the first electrode layer iscovered with other layers.
 27. A decorative apparatus comprising: anilluminating member made of an EL sheet, the illuminating membercomprising a central portion and a plurality of extending portion,thereby the illuminating member having a shape of a flower; a cableconnected to the EL sheet, the cable having a shape of a stem; and apower supply device for supplying an electrical power to the EL sheetthrough the cable.
 28. The decorative apparatus according to claim 27,wherein the decorative apparatus further comprises another EL sheethaving a shape of a petal, wherein the power supply device supplies theelectrical power to another EL sheet.